Body Life and Kingdom Investments: The Road goes Ever on

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began,

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow if I can,

Taken from, The Fellowship of the Rings; The Old Walking Song sung by Bilbo Baggins.

"And I must follow if I can." That phrase pretty much sums up my impression of the disciple's hope and struggle! Every one of us can relate to the feeling that Bilbo conveys in this song. We know we must go on, we know that to stop is to fail, but we fear that we simply will not have the strength. Where does that fear come from? I mean, after all, once we are Children of the King do we not have at our disposal the greatest of all Strengths and the most reliable of all Hopes? Yet, still we fear. Perhaps it is because the road has been long already and we anticipate it to be longer still. Maybe it is because there are so many very attractive 'side roads' that we could take. In fact, we may have often taken them before. After all, they are so attractive at the point of entry. And, having traveled on them we have learned that those roads end badly - so, we fear our own weakness in the face of such temptation. Or, maybe we are simply tired. Maybe we don't like the road God chooses. The 'maybe' scenarios go could go on and on and on!


Jesus gets this dilemma we have as we try to follow Him. Remember, it was He who said that this world would be full of hardship and trouble. In Luke 16 he gives us some reasons why we struggle so much and hope so little. As we keep walking this journey of taking our 'next step' in terms of Kingdom Investment see if one of the following warnings Jesus gives might be a reason we struggle along this path.


First, Jesus tells us that we will struggle when we become too tethered to what this world offers! That was, of course, the problem he pointed out with the Pharisees. In one exchange, after he had taught his disciples, we see that the Pharisees simply didn't get it. Jesus remarks that there great problem was this: they loved money and they cared far too much about what other people thought rather than what God thinks. That, my friend, is being 'tethered' to this world and what it offers. This happens often times very slowly. We work hard, get rewarded and accomplish great things. Then even before we know it we develop an unhealthy attachment not only to what we have earned but also to how that makes people look at us! Yes, part of our discipleship struggle is simply that we care too much about what other people think and how our 'possessions' make us feel and we care too little about what God thinks or the Values of His Kingdom.


Secondly, Jesus tells us that we will struggle when we become too attached to what this world teaches, believes and values. Jesus calls it the 'world system.' Paul alludes to this idea when he tells us in Romans 12 that we should no longer be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Jesus really wants us to understand that any time we 'lean in' to the world's way of behavior or belief our discipleship walk ceases to exist.


Yep, you heard me - you and I become someone we were never meant to be! Jesus so emphasizes this reality that he says he 'hates' the world system. In fact, he uses the word 'detestable.' Another way you might say it is that Jesus thinks and teaches that anything done for the glory of man rather than God is an 'abomination.' Whew, that is tough stuff. I mean, there are many things I don't like (mushrooms, yellow squash, 15 degree weather, the Dallas Cowboys, etc.) but I rarely, if ever use a word like 'detestable' or 'abomination' to describe them (okay, possibly for the Cowboys). But, you get the point, right?!? If you and I have bought into the world's way of doing things, then we have gone 'off road.'


So, where have you gone 'off road' this week? What systems have you bought into? Here is a list you might consider. The World Says - 'I don't have to forgive,' or 'I can cheat to get ahead,' or 'I don't have to love my spouse,' or 'I need more toys and possessions to validate myself,' or 'I am better than others,' or 'God is not enough, I need more ____________ to get through.' All of these ‘ideas’ and the many others like them are a lie. If we are to move forward, then we need to move through the lie to the hope Christ offers! And, there are at least two key ‘hopes’ that you and I have today!


The first hope is for us to understand that we have been 'justified' by God in Christ. The Lord reminds the Pharisees that they are trying to Justify themselves, but God sees their hearts. You and I are justified by the great mercy of God. He has pardoned our sins and atoned for our unrighteousness and, in so doing, He has become our righteousness. Yes, you read that right - God has done for you and me what we cannot do for ourselves, so isn't it about time we stop trying and learn to 'lean in' to Him and His love for us?


Secondly, He has given us His Word so that we might be formed into His image. Jesus says His Word will remain after all else fails (even creation). His Word is trustworthy, dependable and true! You can lean on His Word today! In fact, growing in the knowledge of His Word is the only sure way to fend off the systems and beliefs of this world (by the way, there is still time to sign up for our next Bible Institute Class or join an ongoing small group)!


I started with a poem from one of my favorite books. The key line said, 'I must follow if I can.' If I were to write that poem in order to illustrate a Christian reality, I would change that line to this: 'I must follow, because I can.' Yes, friend, you and I can follow Him and, in fact, he expects nothing less than complete commitment and total trust. It is then and only then that we are able to take that 'next step. So, what is your step to be today? Will you follow Him . . .
Crying Out for Kingdom Investments!
Biz

New Series: Body Life and Kingdom Investments
Bible Basis: Gospel of Luke (picking back up in chapter 16)

Series Goal: To Enlist (encourage, inspire, empower and recruit) our congregation to live a life of Kingdom Investment and take that crucial next step in regard to our time, talent and treasure!

Kingdom Investment in Sunday School - A Personal Testimony from a Westsider

We just launched our Kingdom Investments Series here at Westside Community Church.  One of the goals of this series is to get us to 'take the next step' in terms of our time, talents and treasures.  It is so cool to see that happening already around here.  I am expecting and anticipating so much more when we 'fully give over' and follow hard after Christ!  Take a minute and read this awesome testimony from one of our own in regard to making a 'Kingdom Investment' in the life of a child!

Why teach Sunday School?
I have been a teacher for over 30 years. My friend is a music teacher and she told me that her church asked her to work with the children’s choir and she said there was no way she could do that on Sunday. I thought to myself, why not. God gave you the talent so you could earn a living and why not use that gift on Sunday, as well. Sunday school is one of the first places that many children learn about God. It is also a time when children interact with other children and adults to worship on their level. You don’t have to be a certified teacher to teach in Sunday school. The easy to follow lessons are provided and give children an opportunity to learn about God. Our children need someone who is sincere and will be there as a part of their connection to our congregation. If you want to make a difference in a child’s life, volunteer to teach Sunday school. We need a teacher for the k-3rd grade class. We alternate months. This is a very nice class of kids and they are full of love. Please consider volunteering for Sunday school.

A Westside Community Church k-3rd Grade Sunday school teacher

This is GREAT Stuff - how will you be involved?  Where will you invest today!

Have a great week!
PB

Kingdom Investments and the Cause of Christ

Serving others with the resources God has given us is at the heart of a 'true' response to the grace of God in Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus pretty much tells us that he can read the story of our heart by seeing the actions of our hands. The more I read the Gospels, the more I see clearly how close to Jesus' mission this single reality stands. You and I, as Christians, are in the most unique position of all of humankind. We are in a position to share the generosity with others that God has so amazingly dumped (in bucketfuls) out on us!

Now as far as I can tell, the resources God has given us fall into three major categories; our time, talents and treasure. Our time, of course, represents that allotment of life we are given here on this earth as measured through the seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years we get from God. We all have 24 hours in a day and we are all faced with the choice, sometimes minute by minute, of what we will do with those hours.

Our talents represent a combination of our passions, skills, loves, desires and spiritual gifts. Maybe a better way to say it is that a talent is the resource of our 'skillfulness' that we can use for Christ or for ourselves. We also are faced with daily choices of how we will use these talents that Christ has given us. Will they be used in the service of His Kingdom by caring for others and seeking the advancement of His values and principles in our world, or will we use them to further ourselves, our careers, our goals, etc?

And, thirdly, our treasures represent those financial resources God has allowed us to have while here on this earth. While this can be a number of things from investments to family inheritance, a primary focus is place on that which we earn as we use both our time and talents in this world. Our resources might be the income God has allowed us to derive from the work that He has gifted us to do.

Funny thing about all three of these is that they are all interconnected. For instance, if you use your talent and time in a way that is productive, then in all likelihood (not always) you will receive treasures as a result. In the economy of God, Christ wants us to understand that all three ultimately belong to Him (not us) and the constant test of our commitment is seen in what we choose to do with them on a day by day basis!

As we move into our new series called 'Body Life and Kingdom Investments' we will be picking back up in our walk through the Gospel of Luke. In the texts we will be considering over the next 8 weeks or so, we will find Christ, again and again, calling His followers to a deeper commitment to Him. This commitment is one that is illustrated in how we use that which He has given us. My goal in this series is that we will each be challenged to 'take the next' step.

In order to take the next step, however, we must first truthfully assess where we currently are. So, my question is this: What are we doing with our time, talents and treasures today? On a scale of 1 - 10 (1 being least and 10 being most) how generous are we tin these three areas? Do we give freely unto the Lord in each of these three areas? Perhaps we are better in one or two of the areas, but not in all three. Find out where you are and commit to bring your heart, soul, mind and strength before the Word of the Lord each weekend with me and ask Him to help you take the 'next step' in each of these three key areas.

After all, if Christ looks to these to gauge our spiritual growth and discipleship, then perhaps it is wise for us to spend some time looking at them (and then to Him) ourselves!

Investing in Eternity!

Biz

New Series: Body Life and Kingdom Investments

Bible Basis: Gospel of Luke (picking back up in chapter 16)

Series Goal: To Enlist (encourage, inspire, empower and recruit) our congregation to live a life of Kingdom Investment and take that crucial next step in regard to our time, talent and treasure!

A 'Revolutnion'ary Doctrine

Pop Quiz: On what historical document does the following phrase occur? "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this . . . "

Yep, you guessed it - the United States Constitution. The document itself is the center of every discussion we seem to be having these days as a People. It is the foundation of our modern society and is, no doubt, largely responsible for much of what goes on today in terms of our laws, legislation, policies, etc. This weekend we celebrate the anniversary of America's Independence - known popularly as the 4th of July! I love celebrating and holiday's of all sorts, but I truly, truly love the celebration of the 4th of July! This day is always a great reminder for me to re read, scan and give attention to the documents (read, 'ideas') that have helped form this truly great Nation among nations! I usually spend a few hours considering the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Magna Carta (much older), as well as documents relating to our modern history. You can find all of these documents on the web and I would highly recommend you spend some time just checking them out! Here is just one page you may want to check: www.usconstitution.net

As I read these documents I am almost always overcome with what I have personally called the 'Doctrine that Drove the Revolution.' After all, all of these documents in some way formed the Revolutionary position of the early colonies or the 'formed' the nation after the revolution was over and the new country began to stand on her own. But there is one single Christian truth, often overlooked and avoided in modern times. This Truth gave much impetus to the formation of our nation and could still serve as a 'magnetic north' for us as a country today.

Now, before I go much further, I already here my skeptics screaming, 'hey wait a minute; many of the founding fathers were not Christians. They were deists, agnostics, humanists, etc. so don't try to claim this is a 'Christian' Country. To them, let me say, yes you are right. There were no doubt several streams of thought that merged to form this great idea we call America. There were the secular humanist (and plenty of them) and there were the agnostics (not quite as many - or else they were really quiet) and there were the deist (these did hold position of influence). But there was also the Christian. I would, in fact, argue that while you can divide our earliest 'leaders' between these competing ideas, the populace itself - that is the normal every day Colonist, was overwhelmingly Christian. Even further, they were primarily a Christian of a certain 'stripe' - these folks had been formed by the great Puritan tradition and were steeped in what is commonly called the 'Great Awakening.'

This gets me to my point. As our earliest leaders, teachers, preachers and laymen and women began buckling under the presurre of 'taxation without representation' a theme underlying their discontent began to emerge. This theme is known today as the 'separation of powers.' Our founder were in concert in this one key area - they all believed in the separation of powers and a system that would ensure 'checks and balances.' In fact, they believed that powers left 'unchecked' without proper checks and balances would lead to the very demise of liberty.

Now, let me ask you, can you think of a single Christian doctrine (teaching) that would drive this concern for checks and balances? You may have to think really hard because it is almost rejected out of hand in modern times. Okay . . . give up? Well, then join me Sunday and I will tell you what it is. Of course, feel free to leave a post if you think you know!

Have a great Fourth of July - come worship with us as we celebrate our God of Freedom, Christ our Lord and thank Him for this great country in which we live!

Pastor Biz